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European School Education Platform
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Equity and basic skills in PISA 2022 results

Educational inclusion means enabling all learners to achieve their full potential, and this starts with the acquisition of basic skills. This is a central goal in contemporary European education – all pupils should have access to quality education and achieve at least baseline skills in mathematics, reading and science.
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However, inclusion is necessary but not sufficient; it must be combined with fairness to achieve real equity in education. Fairness relates to pupils’ ability to access quality education and the degree to which background circumstances influence education outcomes.

 

Equity in education: inclusion and fairness

 

is the principle that every pupil should have a fair chance to improve their life via education, whatever their personal circumstances. Pupils who graduate from compulsory education without acquiring basic skills are unlikely to do well in adult life, and have a higher risk of social exclusion. When a large share of the population lacks basic skills, there are wide-ranging negative effects on societies and economies as well as individuals.

Inclusion applies to all pupils regardless of background, but in practice it is , who are more likely to suffer from early dropout and low proficiency in basic skills.

 

Ƶing from PISA 2022 for Europe’s future

 

The results of PISA 2022 clearly indicate a need to reform existing systems in European countries. However, the reform should be about genuinely improving learners’ competences and capacities. The Lifelong Ƶing Platform details how these results . They should serve as a source of reflection about which systemic changes can help better rebuild education and training to and make them truly learner-centred. This includes ensuring a whole-government approach to competency development, and adapting learning goals towards competence rather than skills, to enhance the flexibility of the learning journey for all pupils.

 

Additional information

  • Education type:
    School Education
  • Target audience:
    Teacher
    Student Teacher
    Head Teacher / Principal
    Pedagogical Adviser
    Teacher Educator
    Government / policy maker
    Researcher
  • Target audience ISCED:
    Upper secondary education (ISCED 3)